MV Odyssey seized in Singapore amid cruise dispute

The vessel departed Sihanoukville on Nov 4 without passengers, leaving former residents to make their own arrangements after the unexpected end of their voyage.

Tourism Ministry spokesman Top Sopheak noted that approximately 98 passengers remained in Cambodia as at Nov 4, staying in different locations, including Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Others had returned home or travelled to destinations elsewhere in the region.

The ministry said it welcomed those remaining to continue exploring Cambodia, with a coordination team available to assist them during their stay.

For some passengers, however, the disruption has involved substantial financial losses after investing large sums in what was marketed as long-term or permanent accommodation at sea.

CBS News reported that American passenger Joel Greiff, 57, had paid US$350,000 for a cabin aboard the vessel but spent only 26 days living on the ship after joining in October.

After being forced to disembark in Cambodia, Greiff found accommodation in Kampot for approximately US$200 a month. He told CBS News he had come to terms with the possibility that he might never recover the money invested in the cruise.

Other residents had also attempted to organise a purchase of the vessel to keep the residential cruise operating. However, the effort, which reportedly attracted financial pledges from 169 residents, failed after a lender declined to provide funding, according to international reporting.

The Odyssey’s current difficulties had reportedly been developing for months before its arrival in Cambodia. The company had been experiencing financial distress for at least three months and had reportedly sought additional contributions from residents to keep operations running.

The vessel, whose around-the-world voyage began in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October 2024, had offered passengers the opportunity to purchase or rent residential accommodation while travelling internationally.

Villa Vie previously said monthly fuel expenses, which had historically averaged US$1,800 per cabin, had risen to an estimated US$6,000 to US$8,000 in parts of Asia.

The company had attempted to reduce costs by slowing the ship and spending longer periods in port but said these measures were insufficient to offset the increase.

The future of the Odyssey remains uncertain following its arrest in Singapore, while the former residents who were left behind in Cambodia face the prospect of rebuilding their travel and accommodation arrangements. THE PHNOM PENH POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK